Illustration by Restaurant Business staff.
Dave’s Hot Chicken has named Joshua Liggins vice president of franchise development, a key role as the chain expands under new owner Roark Capital. Liggins served previously as director of franchising for Inspire Brands, now a sister company under Roark. At Inspire Brands, Liggins oversaw franchise development for Dunkin’, Baskin-Robbins and Sonic.
Doug Thompson is the new chief operations officer for Cava, effective March 2. Thompson will oversee the fast-casual chain’s operations and field teams as it continues aggressive growth. He served previously as chief operations officer and vice president of operations over two decades at Texas Roadhouse. Most recently, however, he was CEO of Tumble 22 Texas Chicken Joint. He has also held roles at Carrabba’s Italian Grill and Outback Steakhouse.
Tom Carr is the new president and CEO of Guthrie’s, the chicken finger chain based out of Auburn, Alabama. Carr previously served as CMO at Chicken Salad Chick, where he was instrumental in leading the chain’s expansion. In his new role, he will be leading the 70-unit Guthrie’s into its next phase of growth.
Huddle House welcomed Bob Campbell as brand president of the 250-unit family-dining chain. Campbell formerly served as chairman of the Georgia Restaurant Association and is a longtime operator and franchisee for brands including Taco Mac and Tappan Street Restaurant Group.
Cathy Tang. | Photo courtesy of Qdoba.
Cathy Tang has joined Qdoba as chief legal officer. She spent more than 20 years with Yum Brands Inc., and was the former chief legal officer for KFC while Qdoba CEO John Cywinski was president of that brand. She has also served as CLO and corporate secretary for Pursuit Attractions and Hospitality Inc., and held the same title at Krispy Kreme through the doughnut chain’s initial public offering.
Hawaiian Bros Island Grill appointed Shannon Scott as its new CMO. Scott brings 28 years of restaurant marketing experience to the job, including a 16-year stint at Applebee’s. Scott will oversee brand strategy, national and local marketing, digital engagement, menu storytelling, and market entry strategy as Hawaiian Bros expands into new regions and scales franchising.
The Peach Cobbler Factory has made two executive hires. Devon Nelson is the new vice president of operations. He comes with three decades of experience, including leadership roles at Haagen-Dazs, Burger King, Checkers, Taco Bell and BurgerFi.
Devon Nelson. | Photo courtesy of The Peach Cobbler Factory.
Emeka Diayl, meanwhile, is Peach Cobbler Factory’s new director of social media, working with the marketing team on brand awareness, driving engagement and supporting franchisee-level marketing. He has more than 10 years of experience in franchising, brand building and digital marketing.
Jamie Richardson. | Photo courtesy of White Castle.
White Castle promoted Jamie Richardson to the position of CMO. Richardson, a fourth-generation family member of the Columbus, Ohio-based chain, has been with the company for 27 years, starting as regional marketing supervisor. He advanced to become assistant director of marketing, director of marketing and VP of corporate relations and communications. Richardson succeeds previous CMO Lynn Blashford, who is retiring after 15 years.
Bill Leibengood is the new chief marketing officer for Shipley Donuts. He brings 25 years of restaurant marketing and operations experience and was previously CMO for Houlihan’s before becoming chief operating officer there. Before that, he held leadership roles in marketing at Wingstop and Applebee’s.
The Ohio-based fast-casual sushi chain Fusian has named Tyson Yirak to the role of marketing director. The company said Yirak brings extensive experience in field marketing, project management, data analytics and agile execution. Fusian has seven restaurants across Ohio.
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